LINCOLNTON, N.C. — Editor's Note: WCNC Charlotte has chosen to use this mugshot because the investigation is ongoing and more victims may come forward.
A former East Lincoln High School assistant soccer coach is facing several felony charges after he was reported for child sex assault.
The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office announced Saturday that 30-year-old Maxwell Sidney Fletcher of Mount Holly was arrested across the state line in Gaffney, South Carolina on Friday. He is facing several felony charges and is set to be extradited back to North Carolina within the coming week.
Deputies said they were called to investigate a complaint regarding the sexual assault of a minor on Wednesday, May 15. After the investigation, Fletcher was charged.
On Monday, Lincoln County deputies announced Fletcher had waived extradition and was brought back to North Carolina. The sheriff's office said the investigation is ongoing and involves different agencies across the Carolinas. Right now, Fletcher has pending felony arrest warrants in both Lincoln and Catawba counties.
Anyone who can offer more information in the case is asked to contact Det. Hendrix at (828) 455-6762.
Lincoln County Schools told WCNC Charlotte Fletcher was an assistant coach at the school in the fall of 2023, but is no longer associated with them. However, the sheriff's office said on Monday he was a teacher and coach at W.C. Friday Middle School in Dallas, part of the Gaston County Schools system.
A spokesperson for Gaston County Schools confirmed he is employed at the school and that he was hired in August 2016. However, he was suspended with pay on May 15, 2024.
If you or a loved one is facing domestic violence, help is readily available. You can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788. Resources for help are available in both North Carolina and South Carolina.